Sports Reporter :
Favourites Bangladesh registered an easy 28-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Sunday.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a comfortable total of 271 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then restricted Zimbabwe to 243 for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs.
Bangladesh had a shaky start as they lost two wickets at the cost of 17 runs.
Then Imrul Kayes and Mushfiqur Rahim repaired the early damage contributing 49 runs for the third wicket partnership before Mushfiqur Rahim (15) was caught behind by wicketkeeper BRM Taylor off B Mavutu when Bangladesh’s total was 66 for the loss of three wickets.
Imrul Kayes notched up a splendid 144 from 140 deliveries. His career-best third century was studded with six sixes and 13 fours.
After dismissal of Mushfiqur, Kayes and Mohammad Mithun put on together 71 runs for the fourth wicket stand before Mithun was caught behind by Taylor off KM Jervis when the Tigers’ score was 137 for the loss of four wickets.
Mithun made 37 from 40 balls featuring three sixes and one four.
Later, Bangladesh lost two wickets within two runs.
Then Kayes and Mohammad Saifuddin salvaged their team from danger adding together 127 runs in the six-wicket stand before Kayes was caught by PJ Moor off Jervis when Bangladesh’s total was 266 for the loss of seven wickets.
Mohammad Saifuddin hit 50 from 69 balls amid three fours and a sixer. It was Saifuddin’s maiden ODI half century.
Jervis claimed four wickets at the cost of 37 runs, while TL Chatara captured three wickets instead of 55 runs.
Later, Zimbabwean batsmen failed to chase Bangladesh’s challenging total.
SC Williams remained unbeaten with exact 50. His 58-ball knock was laced with five fours and a six.
C Zhuwao, PJ Moor, K M Jervis added 35, 26 and 37 runs to the Zimbabwean total respectively.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed three wickets for 46 runs, while Nazmul Islam Apu bagged a pair of wickets instead of 38 runs.
Besides, Mahmudullah and Mustafizur Rahman took one wicket each for 24 and 29 runs respectively.
Imrul Kayes was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning innings.
